The problem of Eden is much worse than you thought, but the solution is much better than you could have ever imagined. Between Two Trees reveals that the real tragedy of Eden is a union with death, a union that produces division and despair.
The Mystery of Eden: What Happened in the Garden?
QUESTIONS:
- What happened in the Garden?
- Why does the Bible end the way it begins?
- What if Adam and Eve’s sin was far worse than just an infraction against a divine law?
- What is the “forbidden fruit” you try to grasp?
- What is sin?
- How did you view sin as a child?
- How did you view sin before you were a Christian?
- In a society that is easily offended and hates talking about sin, how do we communicate the brutality of sin without turning the people away from the gospel?
- What is it that scares us about transformation?
- How do we show people the path to transformation in a way that doesn’ t offend them?
- How:do you know you are being transformed into the image of Christ and not some other imitation?
- What is Union?
- How does Christ’s work impact our longing for union?
- How does God’s act of creation reveal deeper levels of union?
- Let’s discuss God’s phrase in Genesis 3, “where are you” a little bit. He obviously knew where Adam and Eve were, so why did he ask the question?
The Tree of Death / The Cross of Christ
QUESTIONS:
- What is John purpose in starting his Gospel by emphasizing that creation doesn’ t recognize or receive the Lord?
- How do we live in the light if we are unified with darkness?
- What is the vocabulary of the language of Death? What examples can we give of the grammar of Death in our lives?
- How do we become aware of the ways Death has infiltrated our language and actions?
- How can we help each other to become less sensitive to the light? How can we push each other out of the habits of darkness?
- How can we sever this union with Death, so that we can be in union with Christ again?
- What do you think life looks like without union to Death?
- From an evangelism standpoint, if those who live in the darkness are so accustomed to the dark that they fear the light, how do we bring the light to them?
- Have you ever been in a predicament where you know there was a solution, but you didn’ t actually want to take steps towards the solution because you were so accustomed to how you’ve been living?
- How can we avoid “Christianizing” our sin to keep it out of the light?
- What are some things we believe “save us” other than Christ? What do we entrust ourselves to?
- What do you gravitate towards on a daily basis? You are in your house—what is it that you choose to do? How does this reinforce your union with Death or teach you to speak the language of love.So how do we encourage believers to live in the shadow of the cross—to die in order to live?
- So how do we encourage believers to live in the shadow of the cross—to die in order to live?
- How do we show the beauty of “dying to ourselves daily” in a culture that is self-centered?
- How can we teach the cross of Christ to someone that iS;’suffering and communicate to them that the power of sin has been crushed?
- What is revealed about God’s character in his willingness to unite with us even in Death?
- If every person’s story is part of the “falling action” of God’s story, how does this change the way we approach life with its opportunities, decisions, and challenges?
- If Jesus’ work has truly repurposed death, how should the believer’s perspective on the pain and decreased vitality near the end of life change?
He Has Done It / The Path To Transformation
QUESTIONS:
- How has the Lord shown up for you when you cried out to Him: “Where are you, Lord, and why have you forsaken me?”
- How has our pain blinded us to God’s presence? Why do humans hide? What is the role of shame?
- What are some ways that our story can keep us locked up and hidden away from everyone?
What does bringing our story to the cross look like?
How do we talk about and celebrate the victory of “Christ’s triumph” when people are in the midst of their greatest pain?
How can our brokenness benefit others? What song are you singing with your life?
What scars d? you have that tell the beauty of God’s redemption?
Who do you need to start sharing your story with today?
How can we turn to God during times of pain and suffering instead of forsaking him and turning away from God?
How can we let Jesus in and begin to transform our r00ms that we have created to protect us from pain?
What might be different about your life if you understood and applied the truth that God meets us where we are in the darkness rather than abandoning us?
Think about what you have done today. How are these choices shaping who you are?
How is transformation a daily choice we make?
Are there parts of your life that you let God into, but others that you don’ t? How can you let God into every single aspect of your life?
Is daily union with Christ an active or passive action? What does that look like in our daily life?
Do you think the reason that confession and repentance is so hard for us is that we haven’t fully grasped the concept that the spiritual world works through permission and that we have to grant God permission to1ransform us?
How does the notion that God gives each person the unwavering permission to know, love, and pursue Him change our perception of His beautiful glory?
What are some daily choices we can make to ensure we are granting permission for the Lord to enter us?
From Death To Giving Life / The God Between The Trees
QUESTIONS:
- What are some thoughts about the connection between Ephesians 2:8-IO and James 2:26?
- Do you believe it is possible to have true faith without works? What roles do both faith and works play in this?
- What does it look like to have works, but not faith? What are the implications of that? How do we lovingly communicate the truth about good works?
- How do we teach people to stop sinning, when the idea that “We’re all sinners here” is so prevalent?
- What are some practical steps to take daily in order to stop sinning (or, at the very least, to stop repeating the same sins over and over)?
- How do we make it obvious that we do not sin as much as we used to without sounding arrogant or running the risk of making people feel unwelcome?
- We are saved only by grace. Do you feel like you can mix up grace for works?
- What is the difference between legalism and calls to holiness?
- If we are truly a new cr,eation, why is it so hard to stop sinning (e.g., Romans 7)? Why do people think that sin is necessary to be human?
- When people look at you, do they see more or Death or God?
- With Shane’s statement (talking about the church): “We are the body of Christ and our actions should not differ much from His,” reflect on the works of the church today.
- What might our churches look like if we chose to believe and embrace that sin makes us less human?
- What does it look like to do everything “with” God on a daily basis?
- What preposition would you use to characterize your relationship with God?
- What has been your process of transformation in the lord?
- How much can we learn about a creator from their creation?
- How do we communicate the urgency of experiencing painful transformation in a culture preoccupied with pleasure?
- Do you think the church does a good job of teaching that God longs to be with us? What would you change or continue to emphasize?
- How have you been reminded of God’s presence with you? How might regular reflection on such moments (e.g., in the morning, at lunch, before we go to bed) enable you to face your present separation from God?